Launceston Triathlon Club’s Dylan Hill and Kate Pedley both impressed in last year’s event but are realistic about the demands of stepping up to the pro ranks for the half ironman discipline.

‘‘I cannot wait to experience it, I’m jumping out of my skin,’’ Hill said.

‘‘I’m going to be up against some world class athletes and the biggest difference is that instead of racing for a personal best or a sense of accomplishment this time it really is a race right from the get-go.’’

The 28-year-old was the second amateur to finish last year, and 12th overall, but this year is targeting the top 10 and going inside his PB of 4 hours 2 minutes.

The part-time personal trainer said the decision to turn pro wasn’t easy.

‘‘A lot of thought went into it but I don’t want to be talking to you in five years time about what might have been and regret not making the step up.

‘‘I just want to give it a crack and see what happens.’’

Pedley was similarly excited about tackling the 1.9km swim in the pristine waters of Geographe Bay, 90.1km flat and fast bike leg through the Tuart Forest and a 21.1km run along the foreshore of Busselton.

The 31-year-old was an age group winner and finished third overall last year and said she is really enjoying switching focus to triathlon from her running background.

‘‘I’ve never been this nervous before a race,’’ Pedley said.

‘‘I just want to see where I’m at and enjoy the experience. I’m not really sure how I will go because I’m completely out of my comfort zone. It’s completely different because there might be a couple of hundred in your age group but there are only about 13 in the pro field.

‘‘Obviously the swim and ride are my weaker legs but I still hope to be in the mix. As long as I do my best I will be happy.

The Busselton Ironman is the largest event of its type in the Southern Hemisphere and has 30 qualifying slots available to the 70.3 world championship in Austria.